242 THE WHALEMAN'S ADVENTURES. 



often complain that it is hard to maintain reli- 

 gion, and especially so to keep up divine serv- 

 ice, at sea. No doubt it is hard, and perhaps 

 it is impossible to exercise true religion in con- 

 nection with Sabbath breaking.* The two can- 

 not be reconciled. No man can serve two mas- 

 ters. Ye cannot serve God and mammon!' 



Another reason why the taking of whales is 

 prosecuted so generally on the Sabbath, as well 

 as other days, is, the neglect of ministers, in 

 whaling ports, to apply God's law to Sabbath 

 whaling. Captains at the Sandwich Islands, 



* A clergyman was once invited to preach on board a 

 whale ship. The hour for service having arrived, Captain 



said to the officer of the deck, " Mr. , call all 



hands aft." The crew were soon assembled in the cabin. An 

 "old salt" remaining behind, the captain inquired, "Where 



is S ?" " Down in the hold, sir ; says he won't come 



to meeting, sir." He was then called again, but to no effect. 

 He had gone down into the blubber-hold, and there intrenched 

 himself, like a giant in his castle, or a lion in his lair. He 

 was reasoned with, but all to no purpose. He refused to be 

 routed. There in his den he sat ; and in his den he growled 

 defiance : " I won't come up ! " On this the officer left him, 

 and reported to the captain. 



The clergyman now asked the liberty to go himself and in- 

 vite the old man in the blubber-hold. This granted, he pro- 

 ceeded to the hatchway, and kindly invited the iron-hearted 

 tar to come up and attend service. For a moment the old 



